Scotland anglers appalled at sea lice infestations revealed by salmon farm inspections

By Lewis Smith
12 April 2011 Data released under freedom of information legislation has uncovered what anglers say are “alarming” and “morally indefensible” levels of sea lice infestations at Scottish salmon farms. Official inspections of Scotland’s salmon farms over a two year period recorded 68 cases where levels of sea lice – which can be fatal to wild fish – exceeded the industry’s maximum good practice threshold. On a further 48 occasions inspectors found that farms had failed to make adequate records of sea lice levels and concerns about misshapen cages and nets with holes that allowed captive fish to escape into the wild were highlighted. The findings were described by the Salmon & Trout Association as shocking and the organisation demanded that new laws be introduced to force farms to declare sea lice levels publicly every week, as happens in Norway already. … Figures released to the S&TA also suggested that sea lice may be developing resistance to the treatments that are designed to kill them. There were 21 instances when treatments proved far less effective than expected. …

Anglers appalled at sea lice infestations revealed by salmon farm inspections